Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday canceled an 11-year-old degree guaranteeing the sovereignty of the former Soviet republic of Moldova.
The 2012 decree was related to Trans-Dniester, a pro-Russian separatist republic in the east.
Under the decree, Russia promised to the solution to the “Transnistrian problem must be found on the basis of respect for Moldova’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutrality status.”
Trans-Dniester broke away from Moldova in 1990 fearing it would seek to reunite with neighboring Romania. A war broke out in 1992, leaving 1,500 dead. Russia has some 1,500 troops still stationed there.
The Official Gazette of the Russian Federation published a decree on Tuesday invalidating the decree from May 7, 2012.
Russian media reported the document was signed „to ensure the national interests of the Russian Federation in connection with the profound changes taking place in international relations.”
The move came after Putin made a speech to mark one year since its invasion of Ukraine vowing to continue the war which he said was a de facto war with the U.S, and NATO.
He also announced that Russia is suspending its bilateral treaty with the U.S. on nuclear weapons, New START.
Also on Tuesday, Moscow summoned the US ambassador telling Washington to withdraw its military and equipment from Ukraine, failing which they would be considered „legitimate targets” for the Russian military.
